Editorial: SMART train's Marin work is a sign of progress

EVERY WORKDAY, thousands of Highway 101 commuters drive past crews working on the railroad tracks that run alongside the freeway. Often, those motorists are stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic.

They should be getting eager for the day when taking the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit train is an option.

SMART doesn't expect to start rolling its commuter rail service until 2016, but the start of work replacing the tracks, including installing concrete ties, is a sign that the long-awaited train is coming.

Voters in Marin joined in bi-county approval of a 2008 tax measure that took SMART from a much-discussed and -debated proposal toward becoming a real alternative for commuters.

When it gets started, it will provide commute-hour service from Santa Rosa to the downtown San Rafael transit center, providing workers with two stops in Novato and one near the Marin Civic Center.

In recent weeks, SMART started work on the line between the Petaluma River and the Civic Center.

While the old tracks could only handle speeds of 25 mph, the new tracks will be able to safely handle SMART's rail cars traveling at 82 mph.

Most of the new track has already been installed in Sonoma County.

The Marin work also will include strengthening the Puerto Suello Hill tunnel in San Rafael and installing traffic-control systems in the downtown. SMART also is building a new Novato Creek Bridge, raising it 3 feet higher than the old bridge, which should help resolve flooding problems blamed on the old span.

Even after SMART service begins, work will continue as SMART plans to extend service to Larkspur Landing and the Golden Gate ferry terminal.

This is a large public investment toward helping resolve a large daily traffic problem.

SMART will provide commuters with the means to make their daily commute without getting stuck in gridlock and increasing air pollution.

Commuters now stuck in the daily crawl up and down the freeway are right to wonder if there is a better way.

SMART is being launched in answer to that question.

When Golden Gate launched its Larkspur ferry fleet in the 1970s, there were many detractors. SMART has its share of doubters.

By providing a convenient, affordable and dependable alternative, SMART could build its ridership into the success the ferries now enjoy.

With rail work getting started in Marin, we are getting closer to that promise.